Gesteigerte Aggression und die Flucht der Konvertiten

And it came to pass that the Amalekites, because of their loss, were exceedingly angry. And when they saw that they could not seek revenge from the Nephites, they began to stir up the people in anger against their brethren, the people of Anti–Nephi–Lehi; therefore they began again to destroy them. Now this people again refused to take their arms, and they suffered themselves to be slain according to the desires of their enemies.

Now when Ammon and his brethren saw this work of destruction among thosewhom they so dearly beloved, and among those who had so dearly beloved them— for they were treated as though they were angels sent from God to save them from everlasting destruction— therefore, when Ammon and his brethren saw this great work of destruction, they were moved with compassion, and they said unto the king :

“Let us gather together this people of the Lord, and let us go down to the land of Zarahemla to our brethren the Nephites, and flee out of the hands of our enemies, that we be not destroyed.”

But the king said unto them:

“Behold, the Nephites will destroy us, because of the many murders and sins we have committed against them.”

And Ammon said:

“I will go and inquire of the Lord, and if he say unto us, go down unto our brethren, will ye go?”

And the king said unto him:

“Yea, if the Lord saith unto us go, we will go down unto our brethren, and we will be their slaves until we repair unto them the many murders and sins which we have committed against them.”

But Ammon said unto him:

“It is against the law of our brethren, which was established by my father, that there should be any slaves among them; therefore let us go down and rely upon the mercies of our brethren.”

But the king said unto him:

“Inquire of the Lord, and if he saith unto us go, we will go; otherwise we will perish in the land.”

And it came to pass that Ammon went and inquired of the Lord, and the Lord said unto him:

“Get this people out of this land, that they perish not; for Satan has great hold on the hearts of the Amalekites, who do stir up the Lamanites to anger against their brethren to slay them; therefore get thee out of this land; and blessed are this people in this generation, for I will preserve them.”

And now it came to pass that Ammon went and told the king all the words which the Lord had said unto him.

And they gathered together all their people, yea, all the people of the Lord, and did gather together all their flocks and herds, and departed out of the land, and came into the wilderness which divided the land of Nephi from the land of Zarahemla, and came over near the borders of the land.

And it came to pass that Ammon said unto them:

“Behold, I and my brethren will go forth into the land of Zarahemla, and ye shall remain here until we return; and we will try the hearts of our brethren, whether they will that ye shall come into their land.”